By Ruby O’Brien
Often, adoption isn’t just about giving a new furry friend a home; it’s about finding a companion that reshapes your days, habits and even perspective on life. For Grace, Liv, Lucy and Sita, the dogs they adopted weren’t just pets – they were life-changers, quirks and all.
For Grace Taotua, from Camden, New South Wales, the idea of ‘adopt, don’t shop’ just made sense. ‘It’s a popular phrase and concept that I’ve heard and seen online throughout the years, and it has successfully had its way with my heart,’ she says.
‘I understood the benefits of breeders in terms of ensuring ethical health standards, and a care and maintenance culture for certain breeds, though not all have the best intentions or standards. Adopting was a no-brainer. It was just a matter of finding the right dog that would thrive with me, in my life, and vice versa.’
Grace adopted Prince, a two-year-old Samoyed, two months ago.
‘[He’s] now been dubbed my first-born son (via immaculate conception),’ says Grace. ‘I found him in all his glory in an outdoor enclosure at Sutherland Shire Animal Centre. I thought long about my lifestyle, and he ticked all the boxes.’
Grace describes Prince as funny, passive aggressive (a trait she says he did not inherit from her) and charismatic (something she will happily take credit for).
‘He sleeps so much, and I find it comical – the different positions I find him in, the places he chooses to fall asleep, the noises he makes. I was almost worried and had to get reassurance from the vet because he was falling asleep everywhere!’
Grace says that Prince has changed just about everything about her daily routine – but for the better. ‘Luckily, much of what he needs and loves is so beneficial to me – especially walking and being outdoors. Everything he makes me do benefits and refines skills that make me better at life, too. Training him daily has taught me patience. Feeding him raw, wholefoods and figuring out his diet has helped me to be more intentional with my own.’
While Prince’s transition into his new home has been smooth sailing, it hasn’t come without some challenges.
‘Training has been a big challenge that has hurt my ego,’ Grace laughs. ‘On his file, it mentioned that he runs away, and he has done so twice now when I wasn’t looking. Both times I was at fault, and he took the opportunity to bolt. Having to chase your dog down is nothing short of a humiliation ritual, but we have been working on “stay”, impulse control and “recall”. I hired a trainer that worked with the dogs at the shelter, and he has been so helpful.’
For those considering adoption, Grace puts it simply: ‘Please make a list of all the things that you love about your life, and then deeply consider getting a dog that complements those things.
‘I would encourage anyone to adopt a pet, but I also only did so when I felt my life could handle it – financially, emotionally, physically and mentally. I know a lot of people will put those things aside so that they can care for an animal. Though, if you have the time to wait, I promise it will be worth it when you find that perfect match, and you have everything you need to pour into them – the love and resources that they deserve.’
